It may only be November but the Coquitlam Express are already playing playoff-style hockey.
The BCHL's most potent offence placed a premium on defence in a pair of weekend wins over the Penticton Vees.
"We probably played two of our best games of the year, a solid 60 minutes both nights," said Express head coach Barry Wolff, who implemented a more defensive system heading into Friday night's contest.
"We can score goals but defensively it's been a struggle," said Wolff. "We had to alter our game plan to play against some of these better teams and give us a chance to win. That's what we did and the guys bought in and played it to a T."
Ryan Rosenthal's second of the game into an empty net gave the Express a 3-1 win over the Vees Friday in Coquitlam. Adam Rockwood also had a goal and an assist and Zach Hodder notched a pair of helpers for the Express.
Bo Pieper scored in double overtime Saturday to give the Express a 2-1 win in Penticton. John Saunders point shot found its way through traffic for his first goal of the season to open the scoring for the Express.
An Anthony Conti deflection tied the game up in the final five minutes and the Vees thought they had won it early in double overtime when a point shot got past Gordie Defiel. However, the goal was waved off after the referee ruled the Coquitlam goalie had been interfered with.
Defiel turned aside 52 of the 54 shots he faced over the weekend series, being named first star Friday and second star Saturday.
"He really bounced back and played like he was at the beginning of the year so we're really happy about that as well," said Wolff.
The Express head to Surrey tonight to take on the Eagles who sit three points back of third-place Coquitlam in the Mainland Division.
"We play Surrey Wednesday and Friday so those are two big games in our division that are going to be key points for sure," said Wolff.
Friday's game goes at 7 p.m. at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Centre.
